Today's selected readings: – Matthew 7: 15-29

Kid's Church talk: -

• When you are watching TV or a video, or reading comics, who are your favourite Characters?
• What is special about them?
• What do you like or dislike about them?
• For those of you who are Batman fans, here are some of the characters in these stories (Play a selection - Either have the sections dubbed onto one tape, or have each video you wish to use primed for each segment,)
• Ask the kids similar questions to the start - Favourites, why, good and bad points etc.
• The trouble is that even though these bad guys make a movie a lot of fun, much of what they stand for is bad
• Give examples of each character
• It is like this in life
• Sometimes we become attracted or impressed by a school friend or a neighbour but in fact we are going down a wrong path (Explain)
• As a friend of Jesus we have to be careful about getting into the wrong company and Jesus warns us to be careful.
• Sadly some people give the impression they are nice people, but deep down they are anything but that.
• Today Jesus warns us about mixing with people who do bad things
• A Jesus person (friend of Jesus) always has to be careful, because others are looking at us and judging us.
• Asking Jesus to look out for you is a good thing in your prayers each day.

Kids Church Activity:
To play a video of some of the "Batman" villains – The Riddler, Iceman, Penguin. To stress to children that although these may seem to be fun characters, beneath all their make up are nasty people. We need to be sure we are not attracted to people that seem great but deep down are really bad people who are not kind, considerate etc. The kids to be decked out in simple costume, and have their faces painted as the character.

What you need to get ready:
Video (edited) footage of characters, face paints, various costume bits to depict the various characters